Martha Russell

Comic dialogue.

Since her last appearance in Chicago Martha Russell, who topped the bill here last week has secured a new sketch. In her last vehicle Miss Russell drew on the lachrymal ducts with a very weepy part. She did it splendidly at the time, and the local critics were inspired to dub her the "Elsie Ferguson of the varieties." Her new sketch is a comedy. It has a marine setting. The plot is somewhat flimsy, concerning itself with a cat and a bother. It seems that both followed the girl (Miss Russell) to the liner, and a discussion comes up between the girl and the brother which is overheard by the new husband of the girl, who does not know the brother. The two are talking about the cat. They discuss the advisability of chloroforming or drowning it. The husband thinks they are talking about him. Elementary and somewhat far-fetched, but its seems the husband is insured for $20,000, and he construes this to be the motive. Miss Russell exhibits a good sense of comedy in this sketch, which is built for the audiences of the circuit she is working on, and is much appreciated by them.

Variety, 53:11 (02/07/1919)